Shoe construction



I Feb. 4, 1930. H. B. LAPlDU-S SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 6, 1926 gwum toz BL a v z'dzz y flMoz/n Patented Feb. 4, 193@ rattan earliest HENRY B. LAPIIDUS, OF BROOKLYN, YQRK SEQE CONSTRUCTIDN .E.pplication filed October e, 1926. Serial no. 139x275.

This invention relates to shoes and more particularly to womens low shoes made by what is known as the turned shoe process and of the kind having relatively high heels.

a Such shoes generally have a steel resilient shank beneath the arch which serves to supportthe longitudinal arch of the foot, but

because of the height of the heel. the weight of the wearer is thrown forward on to the 1 ball of the foot which tends to spread the foot at that part and permits a breakdown of the metatarsal or transverse arch. The

objectof the present invention is the provision of a low shoe which shall have all of the 115 characteristics of the present day style and fashion in ,womens shoes while at the same time giving an adequate support to the foot to'counteract the disadvantages from a physical standpoint of the high heels. Accordingly the counter is brought forward at each side of the metatarsal arch, the shank under the arch is increased in width and further broadened at its forward end with the front edge substantially parallel to the joint between the metatarsals and the phala-nges and at the ball of the foot beneath the metatarsal arch there is disposed a yielding cushion, say of rubber preferably convex in form which fits beneath the arch and supports the same.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood the same will now be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in whic Fig. 1 isa view, in side elevation, showing one type of shoe to which'the invention may be applied.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the shoe, looking from above, parts being removed in the interest of clearness. I

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line 33 in Fig. 1, and showing the disposition of the counter and the shank. 3

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line 44 in Fig. 2. I I

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the shank according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the yielding support ing cushion for the metatarsal arch.

While what is known as a womans pump has been illustrated in the drawings it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to any type of heeled shoe.

The longitudinal arch of the foot is supported by a resilient heavy steel shank 7 which is riveted to the under side of a leather shank 8 covering the entire heel. and extending forwardly to a point 9 beyond the trans.- verse arch. This leather shank is secured to the sole 10 by a row of stitching 11 known as stabbing along either side thereof. The steel shank 7 extends from approximately the heel 12 forwardly approximately to the ball of the foot and on the inner side of the shoeextends well up to the joint between the metatarsal and the phalange of the great toe as at 13, or in other words, the front edge of the steel shank is alined with or substantially parallel to the joint between the metatarsal and the phalanges and of increased width.

As an aid in preventing the ball of the foot from spreading and thus contributing to the retention of the metatarsal arch in normal.

shape the counter ll is formed of more than usual thickness and is extended forwardly on-either side to the metatarsal arch as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2.

The metatarsal archof the foot is further supported'by a yieldin cushion 15 disposed between the sole 10 an the leather shank 8. This cushion is preferably of rubber is secured to the shank, and is convex and-given a curvature as shown in Fig. 6, of irregular forgo to conform to the natural shape of the arc It will thus be seen. that a shoe has been provided wherein the longitudinal arch of the foot is supported adequately by a resilient shank Which extends forwardly approximately to the ball of the foot while the metatarsal or transverse arch is supported bothby a cushion therebeneath and by the counter which retards the spreading of the foot.

Various modifications may be made in the configuration and combination of'the various elements going to make up the invention as a whole and no limitation is intended by the phraseology of the foregoing descri tion or illustrations in the accompanying rawin'gs except as indicated in the appended claim.

A shoe having a relatively stifi' inflexible rear portion and a relatively soft flexible forward portion comprising a sole, a pliable leather shank extending from the rear portion ofthe heel forwardly to the metatarsal arch and broadened at its forward end to reinforce the sole and maintain the sides of the shoe in spaced relation, said leather shank being secured to the sole by stabbing along the side edges of the same, a resilient metal shank secured beneath the leather shank and extending from the heel forwardly and-terminating rearwardly of the joint between the metatarsals and v phalanges, a resilient support for the metatarsal arch disposed between the leather shank and the sole, and in advance of the forward end of the metal shank, a counter extending around the rear portion of the shoe and terminating at both ends in the vicinity of the metatarsal arch, said leather shank, counter, and resilient support coacting to prevent spreading of the shoe by the foot.

- In testimony whereof I have hereto afiixed my signature on this 3rd day of September,

HENRY B. LAPIDUS; 

